The big N has a history of creating strange console redesigns

Today Nintendo announced the 2DS, a handheld gaming console that looks more like a slice of cake than something you play games on. Maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. It does look like a piece of cake though.

It’s set to sell for $130 and will be released on October 12th, the same day Nintendo’s next Pokemon title, Pokemon X and Y, will be released. In comparison, the 3DS currently retails at $169.99 and the 3DS XL, the console’s bigger brother, sells for $199.99

It’s roughly the same size as the original 3DS and features one circle pad, a camera and a single speaker. It will also be sold in two colours, red and blue, and will be released at the same time as an optional carrying case. The 2DS will also be fully compatible with DS games. Nintendo is referring to the console as an “entry-level dedicated portable gaming system.”

The 2DS also won’t have the same 3D capabilities the 3DS does and instead of the DS line’s traditional clamshell design, adopts an aesthetic that makes it look more like a slate.

First the Wii U and now the 2DS? Nintendo seems to be fond of creating names for their consoles that cause consumer confusion. This almost seems like a ridiculously early (or late) April fools joke. To Nintendo’s credit, they continually prove critics wrong when it comes to criticism of their handheld consoles. People have been touting the demise of the 3DS for years now but it’s still going strong.

Fitting this slice of Nintendo cake into the pocket of the average person is probably impossible though, making the handheld console a little less portable than its predecessors.

At least the 2DS case looks kind of cool. Right?

This isn’t the first time Nintendo has announced a strange redesign of one of their handheld consoles. Remember the GameBoy Micro and the Canadian exclusive Wii mini? According to early impressions, journalists have found the console feels “cheaper” than the 3DS and 3DS XL. This makes sense though because after all, it is designed to be a budget console.